The Best Wheeled Backpacks: Rolling Backpacks Rated + Reviewed

Struggling between deciding whether to drag a stuffed suitcase or bear the weight of a bumpy backpack while travelling from A to B? A wheeled backpack is a perfect solution. We’ve tried and tested the best wheeled backpacks to help you make the right choice for your next adventure.

Read more reviews of the best travel gear. 

Tips For Buying a Wheeled Backpack

Pick Your Opening

Even with backpacks, you’ll find that some open up like a suitcase, while others have the usual backpack opening. Depending on how often you need to access your items inside the bag, and perhaps how many outer pockets the backpack has, both options can be handy. 

Know Your Size Needs

The great thing about wheeled backpacks is that they come in all shapes and sizes. If you’re looking for something to double as a day pack, you won’t want to buy a bag that’s too big to carry. But if you’re wanting something to take you through a long weekend away, be sure to pick something with enough space. 

Make Sure The Fabric Is Durable

Durability is the most important thing to take note of. Especially if you want your rolling backpack to last you more than just a few journeys. Water-resistant, stain-resistant, and tear-resistant are all fabric descriptions to look out for. 

Check The Dimensions

If you’re hoping to use your bag as a wheeled backpack carry-on, it will need to fit with airline requirements. Before making a purchase, check the bag’s dimensions both when empty and when packed. Some bags are too big to take as carry-ons when they’re packed full. 

Measure The Handle Against Your Height 

Part of the greatness of backpack luggage with wheels is the handle. If your handle is too low or too high, it’s going to be really uncomfortable to pull around. Thankfully, most handles are adjustable so they’re designed for both the short and tall traveller. 

Check The Wheel Durability

What is a wheeled travel backpack if the wheels are wonky or flimsy? Some wheels are much more durable than others, while some are designed for smooth travelling. Be sure to select your wheeled bag according to your needs – picking stronger wheels if you plan on pulling it along wild gravel roads. 

The Best Rolling Backpacks

Osprey Meridian 75

The best backpack on wheels if size and price aren’t an issue.

The Osprey Meridian 75 wheeled backpack, with its choice of pockets, comfortable shoulder straps and suitcase handle, and long lasting design, is one of the best bags to bring with you while travelling.

Besides the ease of attaching and detaching the padded backpack straps, the Osprey Meridian 75 offers lots of storage with zip up pockets and pouches ideal for tucking away any valuables.

When using the Osprey Meridian 75 as a suitcase you’ll find the wheels are able to roll smoothly across most surfaces while as a backpack the range of straps and hip belt balance out the weight of the bag.

Not only is the Osprey Meridian 75 very attractive, but this backpack with wheels is designed to be incredibly durable with reviews claiming years of use.

Pros

• Stylish design. 
• Comfortable to use as a backpack for long periods. 
• Super-smooth rolling wheels. 

Cons 

• Relatively expensive.

Eagle Creek Expanse Convertible Travel Backpack

Practical carry on luggage with wheels at a reasonable price. 

The Eagle Creek Expanse Convertible Travel Backpack is another on our list of the top wheeled backpacks for its practical, carry-on size, range of adjustable handles and straps, and simple design.

Priced slightly cheaper than the Osprey Sojourn 80 and the Samsonite Pro-Dlx 4, the Eagle Creek Expanse suitcase backpack is suitable for all of your travel needs without breaking the budget.

This convertible travel suitcase can be quickly transformed into a lightweight backpack by zipping on a set of padded straps (that can just as easily be removed.)

The Eagle Creek Expanse Travel Backpack also has a hip belt to help spread the weight of your belongings while travelling hands free.

With several separate compartments ranging from the size of your mobile to the length of a laptop, the Eagle Creek Expanse Travel Backpack is one of the best wheeled backpacks to take with you on your next trip.

Pros

• Reasonably priced.
• Zippable straps mean straps don’t get in the way when using as a rolling suitcase. 
• Hip belt for using as a backpack. 

Cons

• Doesn’t feel as robust as some of its competitors. 

Samsonite Pro-Dlx 4 Laptop Backpack

A professional rolling backpack that’s best for business travellers. 

With a five star rating, the Samsonite Pro-Dlx 4 offers travellers ease and comfort with its padded, nylon arms and adjustable pull-along handle.

We’ve picked this as one of the best backpacks with wheels for travel as it is also incredibly lightweight. Measuring approximately fifty four centimeters by forty centimetres, it is also suitable as a carry-on.

Designed mainly for business travellers, the Samsonite Pro-Dlx 4 wheeled backpack has several zip up laptop, mobile, and tablet compartments.

With the extra accessory pockets and pouches placed all over the bag, the Samsonite Pro-Dlx 4 is a great backpack with wheels for travel, thanks to its sectioned interior that helps to keep your belongings organised while on your travels.

This wheeled backpack is also highly rated for its longevity with reviews boasting years of use with little to no wear.

Pros

• Compact size perfect for short trips 
• Professional appearance 
• Lots of accessory pockets and pouches 

Cons

• Not designed to be carried as a backpack for long periods of time

Osprey Ozone 36

Sized perfectly to take with you as a carry-on, the Osprey Ozone 36 is one of our favourite wheeled backpacks.

The Osprey Ozone 36 has long been a favourite wheeled backpack for fans of the Osprey brand looking for a smaller option to take away for shorter trips. 

While this suitcase backpack may be on the smaller side, there’s plenty enough space for a weekend’s worth of belongings combining the exterior pockets and inside room. If you’re used to travelling light, you can easily travel with the Osprey Ozone for longer periods of time.

The Osprey Ozone 36 not only has a tall, extendable, ‘T’ shaped handle, but also has adjustable, padded shoulder straps for when you want to switch the suitcase into a backpack.

With its selection of multiway handles, reasonable space, and compact design, the Osprey Ozone 36 is the ideal carry-on wheeled backpack for short stays.

Dakine Sherpa Roller 60

A spacious rolling suitcase backpack that’s great for longer trips. 

The Dakine Sherpa Roller has earned its spot on our list of the best wheeled backpacks thanks to its functionality as both a spacious suitcase and backpack.

This 60-litre backpack measures approximately 61 centimetres x 33 centimetres.  The Dakine Sherpa Roller is the ideal size for storing your belongings while travelling for several weeks. This suitcase backpack also has several large pouches and hidden pockets for dividing your luggage.

As a suitcase, the Dakine Sherpa Roller has a retractable handle and set of urethane wheels, once the straps have been zipped on with both the chest harness and hip belt clipped in place you’ll be able to travel hands free.

The only con to the Dakine Sherpa Roller as a wheeled backpack is that the bag itself is already fairly heavy (at 3.6kg) so you’ll need to be slightly wary of overstuffing your suitcase.

Pros 

• Large capacity suitable for longer trips. 
• Lots of pockets for organisation 
• Shape easy to use with packing cubes

Cons

• Relatively heavy. 

Vango Exodus 60 + 20L Roller Rucksack

Brilliant design with a detachable daypack.

Not only does the Vango Exodus 60 + 20 store up to sixty litres worth of belongings, but also comes with a detachable twenty litre daypack. This nifty feature puts it firmly on our list of the best backpacks with wheels for travel.

While you have the option of pulling the suitcase by a sturdy, handle, the Vango Exodus Roller Rucksack also comes with padded shoulder straps and a hip belt for carrying the bag on your back. This convertible suitcase backpack also has a handy side handle that makes it easier to quickly grab the bag when on the move.

Inside the Vango Exodus Roller Rucksack, you’ll find several mesh pockets, pouches, and places to store items such as laundry or any gadgets you’ve decided to bring with you.

This wheeled backpack can be buckled, clipped, and zipped to secure all of your belongings safely along with providing comfort while using the case as either a roller or rucksack.

Pros

• Rubberised wheels practically silent 
• Easy to handle despite larger size.
• Detachable daypack.

Cons 

• Weighs over 4kgs 

Caribee Travel Duffle Fast Track 75

Smart design and bright colours.

The Caribee Travel Duffle Fast Track 75 very much deserves a space on our list of the top wheeled backpacks.

With storage space boasting seventy-five litres in capacity, the Caribee Travel Duffle Fast Track also has a detachable day bag that can be clipped on and off depending on how you wish to carry the cases.

While as a suitcase the Caribee Travel Duffle Fast Track has a retractable handle with oversized wheels suitable for all surfaces, this case can quickly transform into a backpack with adjustable, padded straps and a padded hip belt.  

With an assortment of compartments and zip up pockets, the Caribee Travel Duffle Fast Track offers travellers plenty of space to organise and tuck away their belongings securely.

Although the case itself is too big to take as a carry-on, the Caribee Travel Duffle Fast Track is rated highly for its comfort, ease of movement, and sizeable interior – making it an excellent choice of backpack with wheels for your travels.

Pros 

• Detachable daypack 
• Oversized wheels for super-smooth use.
• Side zip for easy access 

Cons 

• Garish green accents

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American Tourister Road Quest 2 Compartments

The American Tourister Road Quest is a top-quality, high-performing bag.

So, what makes it so great? The American Tourister Road Quest is durable, well-designed, and ready for adventure. The backpack makes it through TSA checkpoints and fits perfectly in overhead bins. It’s great to take on the plane, for backpacking, or on a short road trip. But it’s also ideal for work, school, and everyday use. 

Pros

• Handle locks at multiple lengths
• Large, roomy main compartment
• Made of heavy-duty, ripstop nylon
• Padded laptop sleeve

Cons

• Pricey
• May not be accepted as carry-on if over packed
• Zipper locks are material – decreasing security a little

Matein Freewheel 38 L

A sturdy carry-on rolling backpack.

For rushed airport runs and long layovers, this rolling carry on backpack is a lifesaver. The slimline design, telescope handle, and smooth wheels allow you to travel with ease. 

This backpack has sufficient organiser pockets, so you’ll have no problem finding important documents in a hurry. The main compartment can hold weekend clothes, or just a jacket and travel accessories. The bag also has lockable metal zippers for safety and adjustable straps for comfort. 

Pros

• Sturdy handle
• Breathable back panel
• Swivel metal buckles

Cons

• Lack of comfort when wearing as a backpack
• Weighs more than advertised (4.8 lbs vs 3.6 lbs)

Hynes Eagle 42 L 

Why choose between a backpack and a suitcase when you can have a combination of the two? The Hynes Eagles 42 L opens up like a suitcase but has backpack straps and a chest strap. 

The main compartment has tons of space, so with a few packing cubes, you could easily fit all of your clothes for a week away. There’s also a detachable 17” laptop sleeve and a front zip compartment with multiple organisation pockets. 

Pros

• Back wheel cover
• Fits into a plane’s overhead bin
• Stays balanced and doesn’t tip over

Cons

• No outer or side pockets
• May be too big for shorter/petite people

Everest Deluxe Wheeled Backpack

A brilliant hiking backpack with wheels for your next adventure.

A hiking pack is often a tricky purchase. You need something that will hold your gear but not weigh you down. But also something that’s sturdy enough to withstand the elements and survive the outdoors. Meet the Everest Deluxe. 

This adventurous backpack on wheels comes with padded straps, a chest strap, and a shoulder strap cover to use while wheeling the bag. 

There’s more than enough space for clothes and other essentials in the main compartment, and ample extra pockets for smaller items. The handle slides up easily when it’s needed, and tucks away neatly when it’s not.

Pros

• Eight extra outer pockets with organisation compartments
• Weighs just 4 lbs
• Moisture-resistant polyester fabric

Cons

• Zippers are tricky
• The base is not very sturdy
• Fabric does rip if overstuffed too often

Ambor Freewheel Wheeled Laptop Backpack 

Well segmented carry-on backpack that’s perfect for shorter trips.

There’s no better bag to tag along behind you than this chic Ambor wheeled backpack. The rubber wheels are durable and the telescoping handle helps the bag roll effortlessly even when it’s full. 

The backpack has three compartments, as well as a padded 15” laptop sleeve. Keep your clothes, documents, and holiday reading separate and easy to access. 

Made from ripstop, water-resistant materials, this backpack is sure to withstand the most exciting adventures. The sleek design and functional features make this one of the top wheeled backpack choices. 

Pros

• Hidden backpack straps
• Two Inline-style wheels
• Three compartments for easy organisation

Cons

• Zippers are not the highest quality
• No compression straps in the main compartment

So there you have it… the best backpacks with wheels for travel guaranteed to make your journeys a little smoother on your next trip. Read more travel gear guides.